x
Breaking News
More () »

Police investigate shots fired at East Point councilman's home

The alleged shooting happened just hours after Council decided against Joshua Butler’s motion asking the city to pay legal fees connected to a lawsuit he is battling.
Credit: WXIA

EAST POINT, Ga. — Around 11 p.m. Monday evening, police received a call claiming someone fired shots towards the home of Ward D Councilman Joshua Butler IV. 

Investigators say there were no injuries, and they have not found damage to the property at this time.

The alleged shooting happened just hours after City Council decided against Butler’s motion asking the city to pay legal fees connected to a lawsuit he is battling.

In October 2018, Councilwoman Nanette Saucier began legal proceedings against Butler, claiming he was not eligible to hold public office following his past felony conviction. 

“I’m a good man. Period; point blank. And I find the behavior of some of my colleagues egregious,” said Butler during Monday’s council meeting.

In 2000, Butler was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a fraud case altering several Equifax customers’ accounts. 

In the case, the government claimed Butler paid someone who worked at the Atlanta-based credit reporting company to illegally remove negative information on many accounts, giving them high credit scores. 

The false credit scores allowed the account holders to buy multi-million dollar homes and other items. 

In her suit, Saucier claims Butler did not disclose he was convicted of a crime of “moral turpitude” when he filed out affidavits to initially run for office in 2016. In common language, a crime of moral turpitude would be against most moral standards. 

Saucier feels this omission led to “false swearing,” as a member of City Council, which is illegal.

In 2017, Saucier and other members of Council reached out to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard to investigate the issue. 

In a letter to East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, Howard confirmed Butler’s rights were not restored following his fraud conviction. 

However, he stated he would not pursue criminal action against Butler, maintaining the case was a civil matter. 

In April 2019, Butler filed a motion asking City Council to help pay for his legal fees to defend himself in Saucier’s action. Council initially approved the motion but vetoed it on Monday. 

According to Court documents, Butler has until June 11 to answer to Saucier’s suit that will be seen in Fulton County Superior Court. 

Want more East Point news? Like us on Facebook.

TRENDING IN EAST POINT

East Point residents lose utility lawsuit against the city

East Point's City Hall officially opens for business

Louis Gossett Jr. on legacy, uplifting black community, East Point schools

Before You Leave, Check This Out